73% Of People Say Volunteering Reduces Stress: 3 Reasons To Give Back

When was the last time you volunteered at your local soup kitchen? If it's been awhile, you're not alone. People in the millennial generation (those of you born in the 80s and 90s) are less interested in giving back than people from earlier generations, according to a recent study from the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

The research seems to indicate that younger generations are so preoccupied with getting ahead in life–whether that means making millions or pursuing fame–that being charitable has taken a back seat. There’s nothing wrong with money and fame (unless it’s only about those goals)–but nothing quite beats the feeling of satisfaction and happiness you get from engaging in good deeds. In fact, SELF has reported that ninety-two percent of volunteers say it enriches their sense of purpose, 89 percent say it enhances well-being, and 73 percent say it reduces stress, according to a UnitedHealthcare poll.

So how can you get motivated to do good?

Finding a cause you actually care about is key. Pinpoint something that you’ve particularly struggled with in your life. Did you always need extra help in math class? Volunteer to tutor. Have a relative with cancer? Sign up for a charity run to benefit the cause. If you feel like your mission is personal, you’ll be more compelled to dedicate time to it and stick with it.

Do good with a pal. If you have friends who are already involved in charities, ask them if you can tag along–giving back can (and should!) be a fun and social activity. Signing up to do something like clean up a local park with pals lets you take something that seems like a chore and turn it into a fun experience.

Give back by doing something you already enjoy. Volunteering is a great way to find an outlet for professional or creative skills that you may not otherwise get to utilize at your day job, or in your normal social life. Pursue your interests through volunteering and you’ll improve yourself in addition to helping others.

Dr. Catherine Birndorf is a psychiatrist specializing in women’s health, founding director of the Payne Whitney Women’s Program at New York-Presbyterian Hospital in NYC, co-author of The Nine Rooms of Happiness and SELF’s Happiness Expert.

Got an issue with your job, your boyfriend or your roommate? Dr. Birndorf can help! Write to her, and her advice for you could appear in a future blog or issue of SELF.